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Courageous K-9’s Then and Now
celebrates hero dogs from
World War II and Hurricane Katrina
National World War II Museum and the
Louisiana SPCA sponsor a day of programs
NEW ORLEANS – October 18,
2006: On Saturday October 28th, The National World War
II Museum and the Louisiana SPCA will honor dogs who
have made a difference with a day of programs titled
Courageous K-9’s Then and Now.
Demonstrations by explosive detecting dogs, trailing
dogs and rescue and cadaver dogs (some used during
Hurricane Katrina) will take place in the National World
War II Museum parking lot (enter on Poeyfarre Street)
from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm. The Louisiana SPCA will also be
on site with animals available for adoption. Walt
Burgoyne, Educational Programs Coordinator for the
National World War II Museum, will conduct a lecture on
the role of dogs in World War II as part of the museum’s
Lagniappe Lecture series at 1:00 pm on the first floor
of the Louisiana Memorial Pavilion.
The uses for dogs in World War II included searching out
hidden enemies; detecting mines and booby traps;
carrying crucial messages, ammunition and medical
supplies and acting as guard dogs for the troops. Dogs
were cited for their heroics in both the European and
Pacific Theatres. For example, in the battle for Guam,
casualties included 18,500 Japanese, 7,000 Americans and
25 dogs from the Marine 3rd War Dog platoon. The War Dog
Cemetery where they were buried still exists. The
British even created the Dickin Medal of Honor for dogs
and other animals who went above and beyond the call of
duty in the war.
This event is free to the public. For more information
on programs and exhibits at the National World War II
Museum, visit www.nationalww2museum.org or call
504-527-6012. To learn about how you can be a hero to a
homeless animal, visit www.la-spca.org or call
504-368-5191.
The National World War II Museum was dedicated in 2000
as the National D-Day Museum and has been designated by
Congress as the country’s official World War II museum.
The museum illuminates the American Experience during
the war era and celebrates the American spirit, the
teamwork, optimism, courage and sacrifice of the men and
women who won World War II.
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